Asked this weekend whether there was a chance Lampard might depart as early as the January transfer window, Benitez explained:

"When I was asked the other day, maybe it was a misunderstanding or maybe my English was not good enough, but the situation I know is that they are finishing their contracts [in the summer]. Past that, I do not know.

"I know that Frank is happy here and he is a player that is part of the leadership, he is one of the important players, but I do not know about his future.

"So I cannot say yes or no, he will stay or he will leave, in January or even at the end of the season. At this moment, I do not know."